The Digital Broadcasting Corporation Hong Kong, Metro Broadcast Corporation and Phoenix U Radio have been granted audio broadcasting licences which will allow them air digital services by the end of this year.
Speaking at a press briefing today, Deputy Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development (Communications & Technology) Alan Siu said the licences granted by the Chief Executive in Council will be valid for 12 years, subject to a mid-term review.
The three organisations will provide 24-hour digital audio broadcasting services comprising 13 programme channels with a wide variety of programmes, three each for Metro and Phoenix U, and seven for the Digital Broadcasting Corporation. Click here for details.
The licences contain terms and conditions similar to those of the existing analogue licences, with specific provisions relevant to digital audio broadcasting services and individual licensees. Click here for further information.
Prior to the launch of full services, the licencees can provide a "soft-launch" service, in the form of musical broadcasting, simulcasts of existing AM/FM analogue services or by broadcasting parts of their formal services to be provided.
Mr Siu said Radio Television Hong Kong will also provide five digital channels by the end of this year.
The Government will form a steering committee to promote digital services. The Government has met with electrical appliance suppliers to encourage them to put more receivers on the market.
Apart from providing better sound quality, more stable reception and a greater diversity of programmes than analogue radio services, digital audio also supports the transmission of visual images to the receiver screens, allowing listeners to view news, weather and traffic information, photos of the artists and information about the songs broadcast.
The Chief Executive in Council has also approved the Digital Broadcasting Corporation's application to surrender its existing licence for providing its AM radio service to focus on digital audio.
